Special Needs

[ssswope]

I think that the Boy Scouts needs to help the leaders and boys in the Boy Scouts learn about Special Needs Scouts. There needs to be some training such as short videos that can be shown at meetings, etc. Thank you.

[ScoutmasterJerry]

I think that if you check with your local council you will find that there is some Training out there for Leaders.
I have a few Scouts that have special needs and I contacted our council and got quite a bit of information. Fact sheets (http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/pdf/02-508.pdf)adressing special needs are also available.
If you look for it you will find it.

Now having said that, the information is available for those that NEED it.
I do not think it is out there like most BSA materials because it does not affect the majority of Scouts in the program. Much like the Lone Scout program. You have to look for the info to get it as it is not in the majority of BSA programs.

A great resource I found was simply picking up the Disabilities Awareness Merit badge pamplet.

If you are finding that the leaders of your unit are not responding to the needs of your Scout, I would encourage you to speak with the Committee Chair and Scoutmaster and ask if they are trained or plan on finding out more.

"The BSA's policy has always been to treat members with disabilities and special needs as much like other members as possible." (from the fact sheet)
So your Scoutmaster may be down playing the condition.
Speaking for myself, I do this. I do not treat our Scouts with disabilities any different than any other Scout. I handle them on a Scout by Scout basis and understand and accomodate any limitations (Physically and Mentally), but expect them to act and participate much like any other Scout. This in turn does not take away from the program for the other Scouts and allows the Scout with Disabilities to feel like he is just another member of the Troop without spot lights or people falling all over themselves to make Scouting perfect for him. That will happen by itself as long as the Adult leaders and Senior Junior Leaders understand the situation.

Its out there.. you just have to find it.

Welcome to Boy Scouting!! It is the Greatest thing for our Boys... no matter what condition they are in or what cards life has dealt them.

[cmhay]

Just a quick suggestion: If you feel you don't have enough info regarding the special needs of a particular Scout, I'd suggest asking the parents to direct you to sources of information. Very often, parents are already very connected and can guide you. Not to mention, I think they'd appreciate knowing that you were taking the time to investigate the best way to integrate their child into your program. Oh, and I'm speaking as the parent of a special needs child, btw...

[NC Cub]

ssswope,

I am with Cub Scouts however, "Special Needs" are talked about and Handouts are given at Roundtables. Some of the hand outs are BSA but most are clinical. They are not discussed in great depth but resources and local "Points of Contact" are presented. The topis are random but the discussions usually generate more intrest.

If you are a Scouter or know one this may be a good avenue for you to distribute brochures, information packets, or perhaps you could talk about it. Our Roundtable Staff is always looking for ways to "spice up" the meetings. Scoutmaster Jerry does bring up a good point that it may not affect a large population of Scouts. Ithink that the information is good no matter what.

[Scouting Mom]

I imagine it varies from council to council, but ours has a department for scouting with special needs. Training on the subject is offered at roundtables, Pow-Wow and University of Scouting.

[kchristo]

There will be a new manual coming out through the National Supply Group in mid-August that will have a lot of materials, including Best Practices from councils around the country. It will be loose-leaf and will include information on all of the areas of special needs. The title is "Scouting for Youth with Disabilities". Look for it. Once it is available, I will post the catalog number on the Web.

[Westergaard]

We have a course that is offered at our Cub Scout College on scouts with special needs. It is offered every year and the course is also complemented with handouts and other documents a leader can pick up at any of our scout shops.

[miscoutmom]

University of Scouting offers a training course in working with kids with special needs. I had actually thought about taking the class, but had to work that weekend. Since the special needs boy in my pack..was my kid.

Also, I find that if I'm there at the meetings <all of us are really>, we are able to head off problems before they start. I can also handle situations that the patrol leaders might not be able to handle. In my opinion, parents of special needs kids need to be involved with the Troop. I do my best to teach, advocate... but also find out things I didn't know my son could do.

Jenny
Troop 744 :cool:

[jhankins]

We had a Tiger this year with Asperger's. He started out needing his mom with him constantly, but by the end of the year, she could sit back and watch him interact with the other boys. The boys actually stepped in as well, and helped guide him through activities and offered to be his buddy for hikes and activities. The difference was so obvious at the end of the year that when he announced he was moving away, all the boys were sad, as they were going to miss their buddy!

[miscoutmom]

How wonderful that he did so well! I started out thinking that I'd need to offer more help to my son. My hanging around to much earned me a yellow uniform :rolleyes: ... but in the end, the boys did step up on their own and keep an eye on him too. Its amazing to see how that experience benefitted all involved.

Jenny
Troop 744 :cool: